IN THE BIBLE, in the book of Ruth, we read of two young widows — Ruth and Orpah. Many are like these two young ladies. A crisis had come in their lives; they had lost their husbands, and had been living up there on the mountains of Moab. Perhaps they had often visited the graves of their loved ones, and perhaps watered them with their tears.
Now Naomi, their mother-in-law, is about to return to her native land, Israel, and they think they will go with her. But now the crisis comes.
Naomi warns them of the difficulties and trials which might await them. So Orpah says, “I will go back to my people.” It is a sad parting. But Ruth cannot leave Naomi. Orpah turns back alone and I think I can see her far down the road waving a last farewell.
Naomi says to Ruth, “Behold, thy sister-in-law is gone back to her people, and unto her gods; return thou after thy sister-in-law.” What does Ruth say? “Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee; for whither thou goest, I will go;... thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.” Her choice was made. Poverty here or suffering and want yonder, she would share Naomi’s lot.
Orpah loved Naomi, but not enough to leave all for her. On the other hand, life was so empty and the world had become a barren place to Ruth. She loved Naomi so much that her own people, her land and its gods attracted her heart no more. O may God draw out the hearts of all who read these lines, that you may leave all and follow Him!
We never hear any more of Orpah. The curtain falls upon her life. Perhaps she died away up in the mountains of Moab, without God and without hope.
But what about Ruth. God blessed her for that decision she made. She found blessing and plenty in the land of God’s people. She became the wife of Boaz, that wonderful character, “the mighty man of wealth,” and so was brought into the royal line from whence came David, the king of Israel, and later the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ.
And God will bless you, dear rear, if you decide like Ruth did. Who is there that will take up the language of Ruth and say, “I will follow thee; thy God shall be my God.”
ML-01/27/1963